Students at PM Shri Adarsh Vidyalayas in Assam will soon have the opportunity to learn math and science in their local languages using virtual reality (VR), thanks to a groundbreaking initiative by IIT Guwahati. The institute is developing India’s first VR-enabled metaverse platform designed specifically for schools, aiming to spark students’ curiosity and creativity.

Named "Gyandhara," this initiative is a collaboration between IIT Guwahati, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Department of Education, Assam. Initially, it will be launched as a pilot project in 56 PM Shri schools in Assam later this year before expanding to more schools across the Northeast and eventually the entire country.

The program is designed to make learning more engaging, especially for subjects that can be challenging to grasp through traditional teaching methods. Dr. Keyur Sorathia, Associate Professor at IIT Guwahati, who is leading the project, explained that the "Gyan Dhara Metaverse" will leverage VR technology to create immersive, interactive 3D environments where students can explore concepts in a more intuitive way.

“At Gyandhara, we are developing an educational metaverse powered by VR to provide engaging content for students aged 13 to 18,” Dr. Sorathia shared. “Our goal is to create a dynamic learning experience that encourages creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration beyond the classroom.” Initially, the pilot will focus on classes 8 to 12, covering subjects like math, science, and social science. The vision is to transform the way students interact with complex topics by presenting lessons in an engaging VR format, delivered in local languages. "This project is a first-of-its-kind initiative in India’s schools," Dr. Sorathia emphasized. "By moving beyond flat board teaching, we aim to make difficult concepts easier to visualize and understand, helping students reach their full potential and prepare for the future."

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Wikimedia commons.